Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail is a German, romantic comic opera that is full of adventure, love and rescue invoking a clash of Turkish and European cultures. The overture is colorful and imitates the sounds of Turkish military music which was wildly popular in Europe in the late 18th century.

The radiant Clarinet Concerto was one of the last works that Mozart wrote before he died in 1791, and it is by far the greatest concerto written for that instrument. Inspired by the extraordinary technique and artistry of his friend Anton Stadler, Mozart wrote his concerto in the traditional three movements, the second of which is similar in line to one of his great arias, and is unsurpassed in beauty.

With the first performance of the Enigma Variations, Op.36 in 1899, Sir Edward Algar (1857-1934) was instantly recognized as the greatest English composer of his day. Each of the fourteen variations is a musical portrait of one of his friends. The first variation portrays his wife, and the last, himself. The Enigma refers to the opening theme of which Elgar said, through and over the whole set another and larger theme goes but is not played. There have been many intriguing thories and possible solutions but to this day it remains an enigma.

Fredrick Delius (1862-1934) was born in England but lived a great part of his life in France. Perhaps because of this his music has an impressionistic flavor reminiscent at times of the great French composer Claude Debussy. On Hearing the First Cokcoo in Spring (1912) is a wonderful example of DeliusÕ art, with its evocative timbre, and floating tonality. As you listen to the piece you will hear the cuckoo bird (clarinet) gently calling from the trees.

BASSO Program for Tuesday, November 10